Tottenham set to make an avoidable mistake with a forgotten 18-year-old super-talented young player as the gem’s contract ticks down. It now looks likely the player will be released as a free agent

Myrtaj’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Tottenham Hotspur are not believed to have offered him a professional deal, marking a disappointing setback for the 18-year-old forward.

The London-born attacker has been with the club since the age of seven, progressing steadily through the youth ranks before earning a place in the Under-18 squad.

This season, he has featured in 13 Under-18 Premier League matches, contributing three assists.

As time runs out for Myrtaj to secure a change in fortune, the situation highlights the harsh realities of academy football. Many young players are developed by clubs only to be released, leaving them uncertain about their future. In fact, fewer than one percent of academy players at Premier League clubs in the UK go on to earn professional contracts, and Myrtaj now faces the possibility of following that difficult path.

Releasing him at this stage would be a premature mistake.

He is a skilful winger with strong technical ability, impressive pace, and a promising end product that only needs further refinement.

Tottenham supporters have already taken notice of his situation, with one X user commenting on Saturday: “This Myrtaj kid in our academy is sick. Wtf.”

Myrtaj has shown his quality across multiple age groups, scoring 13 goals for the Under-16s during the 2023–24 season. He has also represented Albania at Under-17 level, though he has since switched allegiance to Hungary.

There may still be an opportunity for Tottenham to reconsider their stance, but the chances appear slim, even after the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi, which has not sparked any clear change in his situation.

Why might Tottenham release Myrtaj?

For Tottenham’s academy, it largely comes down to competition and numbers.

Players like Mikey Moore have impressed during a loan spell at Rangers and are of the same age, while Tynan Thompson is also viewed as a highly promising talent in a similar role.

In the younger age groups, forwards such as Melvyn Kabongolo and Kaiden Burke are also progressing well and are tipped to make an impact at first-team level in the future.

Unfortunately, Myrtaj faces intense competition for limited opportunities. Given his talent and potential, many would argue Tottenham should think carefully before allowing him to leave.